Harbour constables are to be appointed by Cork County Council to oversee new bylaws which will limit areas for jet ski use, ship speeds in bays, and they may also liaise with gardaí on suspected drug importation.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is facing fresh pressure to endorse the wide-scale liberalisation of Ireland’s abortion laws after politicians made clear-cut calls to repeal the Eighth Amendment, allow abortion up to 12 weeks pregnancy and to decriminalise the act.

The niece of a homeless woman who died on the streets of Cork last week has urged the Government to address the homelessness crisis as a matter of urgency saying her “funny and caring” aunt should not have lost her life for the want of a bed for the night.

The State has urged the Court of Appeal to overturn its decision permitting a retrial of part of a civil action by Ian Bailey, over the conduct of the Garda investigation into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

An official tasked with reviewing whistleblower allegations of chemical exposure within the Air Corps was not given access to the Defence Forces’ own report on the claims, the Government has confirmed.

A new three-year strategic plan for the country’s main youth detention facility will be launched today, including a new Oberstown Campus Council in which young people will have a say on issues at the centre.

There is no early end in sight to house price increases and it will take “the next five, six, seven years” for new supply to come anywhere near to meeting pent-up demand, the Economic and Social Research Institute warns.

The family of a Co Tipperary mother who died 12 days ago after a life-saving trial drug was withdrawn is seeking a meeting with Health Minister Minister Simon Harris to get reassurances no other patient would have to face that position.

The Department of Housing is to be urged to let local authorities build council houses with downstairs bathrooms and bedrooms so they are readily usable for tenants who become disabled or too frail for stairs.

The Oireachtas abortion committee is widely predicted to vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment from the Constitution and replace it with new laws allowing for abortions in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy when it meets this afternoon.

Two nurses have had their registration suspended for six months, plus conditions attached to their registration for a further two years, in connection with the death of an elderly patient in hospital in 2006 while in a chair with a restraint belt.

A 35-unit housing development is to be built in an industrial estate on Cork’s southside after councillors approved a material contravention of the city development plan — at the second time of asking.